Fluid proportioning device



Nov. 11, 1941..

FLUID PROPORTIONING DEVICE Filed May 6, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l ATTQRNEY.

1941- G.- L. N. MEYE 2,262,031

FLUID PROPORTIONING DEVICE Filed May 6, 1940 w 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q a 18 Q 32 a fly .1 M

llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll INVENTOR.

Nov. 11, 1941 MEYER 2,262,031

FLUID PROPORTIONING DEVICE Filed May6, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 |=Y ll IIIIHII ll Illlllllli ATTORNEY.

Nov. 11, 1941. G. L. N. MEYER I ,2

FLUI'D PROPORTIONING DEVICE v Filed May 6, 1940 5 Sheets-Shee t 4 INVENTOR. @Z'O/Pfl. A! M I [A ATTORNEY.

Nov. 11, 1941. MEYER 2,262,031

FLUID PROPORTIONING DEVICE Filed May 6, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. @[OPGf Z /1 MHz/P Patented Nov. 11, 1941 2,262,031 FLUID PROPORTIONING Device George L. N. Meyer, Milwaukee, Wis. Application May 6, 1940, Serial No. 333,557

19 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid proportioning devices and more particularly to a fluid proportion device adapted to supply two or more liquids in an exact proportion.

In preparing carbonated beverages, such as root beer, and various flavored so-called soda.

waters, it is necessary, for best results, to keep the proportion of syrup to water constant and uniform.

In applicant's co-pending application, Serial No. 289,926, filed August 12, 1939, now Patent No. 2,227,101, issued December 31, 1940, there is disclosed a method of preparing carbonated beverages in bulk for bottling. The presentmachine is adaptable to this method in that it supplies a constant flow of syrup and carbonated water to a carbonator. Since-even small variations in the proportion of syrup and water seriously afiect the-beverage it is necessary that an exact proportion be maintained. While the present fluid proportioning device is applicable to the method disclosed in applicants co-pending application aforesaid, it is to be understood that its use is not confined or limited to proportioning syrup and water to form a carbonated beverage, but that it may be used to supply any two liquids in exact proportion.

One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which will deliver two liquids to a source in an exact and uniform proportion.

Another object is to provide an apparatus which will adjust the flow of one liquid to the flow of another liquid so as to maintain the proportions of the liquids uniform.

.A further object is to provide an apparatus which will deliver two liquids to a source in exact proportion and in which the quantity of liquid delivered is readily ascertainable.

Another object is to provide an apparatus which will adjust the flow of one liquid to the flow thereon to shut down the entire apparatus in the event of the adjustment exceeding the limits of the machine. A further object is to provide an apparatus which will shut down in the event of stoppage of one part thereof.

A furtherobject is to provide an apparatus to supply two liquids in a given proportion which willautomatically shut down upon stoppage of the flow of one of the liquids.

A further object is to improve the mixing of syrup and carbonated water in a carbonated bev-.

erase. a

A further object is to provide an apparatus which will supply a uniformly mixed carbonated beverage to a filling machine.

A further object is to provide an apparatus to supply two liquids in a given proportion which will place no strain upon the measuring devices employed.

A further object is to provide an apparatus which can be manufactured economically and which will be positive and accurate in operation.

Other objects will be apparent upon considering the following specification, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, 11- lustrates one form of the invention.

According to the present invention, two liquid pumps are used to deliver liquids through two separate meters, and the flow of the two liquids through the meters is utilized to vary the flow of the liquid through one of said meters 'of a fluid proportioning device embodying the present invention with certain parts thereof beother parts;'

-Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the fluid proportioning device, shown in Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of thearrows;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on line [-4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 are cross-sectional views on lines 55, 6-6 and 1-I, respectively, of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the entire fluid proportioning device.

Referring to Fig. 8, the fluid proportioning device is built on a base III, on which is mounted a water pump I2; The water pump l2, which may be a multi-cylinder, reciprocating piston type, is operated by.a motor l3 through a V- belt I! and pulley IS. The water is drawn into therefrom which drives a' pulley 22. The pul-.

ley 22 operates a syrup pump 23 which preferably is a gear or other positive displacement pump drawing its supply of syrup through a-pipe 25 and discharging it through a pipe 26.

' ing shown in section to more clearly illustrate Water flowing through the pipe I8 passes through a water meter 38 and turns a shaft 3| (seen best in Fig. 3) which, operates a counter 32, shown in Fig. 2, which records the quantity of water that has passed through the meter in any convenient, units. Simultaneously, syrup flows through the pipe 25 and passes through a syrup meter 34 which operates a shaft 35 and records the quantity of syrup, which has passed through the meter, on a counter 35, shown in Fig. 2.

In order to regulate'the quantity of syrup and to synchronize the same to the quantity of water fiowing through the apparatus, a gear 38 (Figs. 3 and 4), is mounted on the syrup.meter shaft 35 through a jaw clutch mechanism 39 in such a manner that any stoppage of the gear 38 raises the gear 38 on the shaft 35 disengaging the clutch 39 and permits the shaft 35 to rotate independently of the gear 38. The gear 38 is in constant mesh with and rotates a gear 48 mounted on a shaft 4| and turns a gear 42 mounted on the same shaft. The gear 42 is in mesh with and rotates a gear 43 (Figs. 3 and which is a part of the central control mechanism.

Likewise, the shaft 3| from the water pump has mounted thereon a gear 45 through a jaw clutch 41 similar to the jaw clutch 39 and arranged so that stoppage of the gear 45 causes that gear to rise on the jaw clutch 41 until the latter is disengaged and the shaft 3| permitted to rotate independently of the gear 45. The gear 45 is in mesh with and turns a gear 48 fixed on a shaft 49 which turns a gear 58 fixed on the same shaft. The gear 58 is in mesh with and rotates a gear 52 which, like the gear 43, comprises a part of the central control mechanism. For convenience the gears 38, 48, 42, 43, 45, 48, 58 and 52 may be mounted in a housing 54 which may be carried on top of the meters 38 and 34.

Referring now to Fig. 5, which shows the details of the central control mechanism, it will be seen that the gear 52 is mounted on a hollow shaft 53 in a bearing 53' in the housing 54. The shaft 53 is free to turn in the bearing 53' while being held at a fixed elevation therein between the gear 52 and a handle 54.

The lower end of the interior of the hollow shaft 53 is threaded to receive the lower threaded end 55 of a shaft 55. The shaft 55 has the gear 43 fixed thereto at the upper end thereof. The shaft 55, therefore, moves upwardly or downwardly in the shaft 53 due to the screw thread connection between the shafts when any difference in angular speed occurs between'the gears 43 and 52.

A handle 55 is fixed on the lower end of the thread 55, and is adapted to contact the lower end of the hollow shaft 53 to limit the upward movement of the gear 43 and shaft 55. Similarly, the downward movement of the gear 43 and shaft 55 is limited by contact of the gears 43 and 52.

If a larger quantity of syrup is being pumped than is required tomaintain the exact proportion, the gear 43 turns faster than the gear 52 which causes the gear 43 to rise on the screw sure in the outgoing pressure line 5| which re duces the pressure in a pipe 52. The amount that the pressure is reduced by the escape of air past the valve is directly proportional to the leakage past thevalve and hence to the distance of the valve 58 from its seat. Air pressure in the pipe 52 may be recorded on a gage 53, shown in Fig. 2.

Reduction of pressure in the pipe 52, asvmay be seen best in Fig. 1, reduces the pressure above a diaphragm 54 of a pressure control 55, causing a spring 55 to move a stem 51 upwardly, opening a valve 58, which permits a greater amount of syrup to by-pass through a connection 18 past the valve 58 and into the inlet pipe. where it again runs through the pump 23, thus reducing the quantity of syrup flowing through the meter.

Conversely, should'a larger amount of water be pumped than is required, the gear 52 will travel faster than the gear 43 causing the gear 43 to move downwardly on the screw 55, re-

, ducing the leakage past the valve '58 and inthread 55. As the gear 43 rises it causes a creasing the pressure in the pipes 5|-52. Increase of pressure in the pipe 52 increases the pressure on the diaphragm 54 causing the valve 58 to lower and thus reduce the amount of syrup being by-passed around the syrup pump 23 and consequently increasing the amount of syrup passing through the meter.

In the event that the adjustment exceeds the limits of the machine, so that the gear 43 continues either to rise or fall, the gears 43 and 52 become locked together, either by contact of the gears 43 and 52 due to lowering of the gear 43 or by contact of the handle 55 with the lower end of the shaft 53. When the gears 43 and 52 become locked bymovement of the gear 43 either upwardly or downwardly either or both of the gears 38 and 45 are caused to rotate at a different angular velocity than the shafton which they are mounted. This difference in angularvelocity causes either the clutch 39 to lift the gear 38 on the shaft 35 or the clutch 41 to lift the gear 45 on the shaft 3|. Raising either of the gears 38 or 45 turns a shaft I5 through collar and yokes I5-I5.

As seen in Fig. 5, turning the shaft I5 raises a plunger 18 which raises a second ball 88 of! its seat causing a relatively large reduction of pressure in the pipe 5|. This large reduction in pressure in the pipe 5| is transmitted to a pressure control switch 82 through a pipe line. in communication with the pipe 5|. Leakage past the valve 88 due to raising the valve by the plunger I8 is sufficient to cause operation of the pressure control switch 82 which shuts off current to the motor l3 thus stopping the operation of the entire machine. When the plunger I8 raises the valve off its seat due to the turning of the shaft I5 by the collar I5 the valve 88 is kept off its seat by a finger 84 which enages a notch .85 in a wheel 85 fixed on the shaft I5. Thus before the motor can be restarted the finger 84 must be manually disengaged from the notch 85 and the check valve 85 returned to its seat. It is also necessa y to reset or'unlock the gears before restarting. This is done by holding the handle 54' against turning and turning thehandle 55' so as to free the two gears 43 and 52 from each other.

For this purpose a shut-ofl from the water meter and a cock 9| opened in a by-pass 92 leading from the water pump delivery pipe l8 around the water meter 30.

Since the gears 38, 40, 42, 43, 46, 48, 50 and 52 are mere control gears and do no work, they impose no strain on the shafts 3| and 35. Hence the meters 30 and 34 give accuratereadings and a true and exact proportion is obtained.

The apparatus just described will give a deflnite proportion of liquids and deliver the same in accurate quantities to any given source. To change the proportion I of syrup and water pumped, the gears38 and 40, and 46 and 48, are changed so as to have a gear ratio which will give the required proportion and the new gears adjusted in the machine by means of T-slots 95-95. Any given ratio may be obtained by arranging the gears 38-.40 and 46-48. It is obvious that this apparatus can readilybe expanded to deliver three or more liquids in a desired proportion withoutdeviating from the principles set forth herein.

Having thus. described the invention, it will be seen that it is susceptible to various changes and modifications and'that. it is not, therefore, desired to limit the invention to the precise form herein shown and described but only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, it is here- I whereby liquid delivered from said pump flows' through said meter and is measured thereby, a second liquid pump, a second liquid meter, means I pressure actuated means responsive to relatively small changes of flow of liquids through said me- 3 pump not by-passed around said second pump,

ters to vary the setting of said valve and maintain the flow of liquids in a desired proportion, and pressure actuated means responsive to large variations in flow to stop the operation of bothin said fluid delivery means adapted to measure connecting said second liquid pump with said second liquid meter whereby liquid pumped by said second liquid pump passes through said second liquid meter and is measured thereby, means located between said second pump and said second meter responsive to the flow of liquid through both of said meters to vary the flow of liquid through said second meter to maintain passed between the discharge and the intake, a

second meter adapted to, receive and record that portion of the flow of liquid-from said second pump not by-passed around said second pump, and pressure actuated means responsive to the flow of liquids through said meters to vary the setting of said valve to maintain the flow of liquids through said meters in a desired proportion.

3. A fluid proportioning device of the character described, comprising, a first liquid pump, a first meter adapted to receive and record the -flow of liquid from said pump, a second liquid pump, a by-pass between the discharge and the intake of said second pump, a valve in'said bypass adapted to vary the'quantity of liquid bypassed between the discharge and the intake, a second meter adapted to receive and record that the flow 'of fluid therethrough, a second fluid pump, a second delivery means adapted to re ceive fluid from said second pump and deliver it to a source, a second metering means in said second delivery means adapted to measure the flow of fluid therethrough, aby-pass between the intake and delivery means of said second pump,

, said b'y-pass opening into said second delivery means between said second pump and said second metering means, a valve in said by-pass adapted to control the flow of fluid therethrough, and means operable by said metering means to actuate said valve and maintain the proportion of fluids pumped through said meters constant. 5. A fluid proportioning device of the charac-. ter described comprising, a first fluid pump, delivery means adapted to receive fluid from said pump and deliver it to a source, metering means in said fluid delivery means adapted to measure the flow of fluid therethrough, a second fluid pump, a second delivery means adapted to iteceive fluid from said second pump and deliver it to a source, a second metering means in said second delivery means adapted to measure the flow of fluid therethrough, a by-pass between the intake, and delivery means of said second pump, said by-pass opening into said second delivery means between said second pump and said second metering means, a valve insaid by-pass adapted to control the flow oi fluid therethrough, and

means including a differential actuated by said metering means to actuate said valve and maintain the proportion of fluids pumped through said meters constant. i

6. A fluid proportioning device of the character described comprising, a first fluid pump, de-

portion of the flow of liquid from said second livery means adapted to receive fluid from said pump and deliver it to a source, metering means in said fluid delivery means adapted to measure the flow of fluid therethrough, a second fluid pump a second delivery means adapted to receive fluid from said second pump and deliver it to a source, a second metering means in said second delivery means adapted to measure the flow of fluid therethrough, a by-pass between the intake and delivery means of said second pump, said by-pass opening into said second delivery means between said second pump and said second metering means, a valve in said by-pass adapted to control the flow of fluid therethrough, fluid pressure means to actuate said valve, and means actuated by said metering means to-vary the pressure in said fluid pressure means and change the setting of said valve whereby a constant proportion of fluids is delivered by said pumps.

7. A fluid proportioning device of the character described comprising, a first fluid pump, de-

pump, a second delivery means adapted to receive fluid from said second pump and deliver it to a source, a second metering means in said second delivery means adapted vto measure the flow of fluid therethrough, a by-pass between the intake and delivery means of said second pump, said by-pass opening into said second delivery means between said second pump and said second metering means, a valve in said by-pass adapted to control the flow of fluid therethrough, means operable by said metering means to actuate said valve and maintain the proportion of fluids through said meters constant, and means attached to each meter to stop both pumps upon failure of either pump to maintain the desired proportion.

8. A fluid proportioning device of the character described comprising, a first fluid pump, delivery means adapted to receive fluid from said pump and deliver it to a source, metering means in said fluid delivery means adapted to measure the flow of fluid therethrough, a second fluid pump, a second delivery means adapted to receive fluid from said second pump and deliver it to a source, a second metering means in said second delivery means adapted to measure the flow of fluid therethrough, a by-pass between the intake and delivery means oi said second pump, said by-pass opening into said second delivery means between said second pump and said second metering means, a valve in said by-pass adapted to (control the flow of fluid therethrough, means including a diflerential actuated by said meterin: means to actuate said valve and maintain the proportion of fluids pumped through said meters constant, and means to stop both pumps upon failure of either pump to maintain the desired proportion.

9. A fluid proportioning device of the character described comprising, a first fluid pump, de-

livery means adapted to receive fluid from said pump and deliver it to a source, metering means in said fluid delivery means adapted to measure the flow of fluid therethrough. a second fluid pump, a second delivery means adapted to receive fluid from said second pump and deliver it to a source, a second metering means in said second delivery means adapted to measure the flow of fluid therethrough, a by-pass between the intake and delivery means of said second pump, said by-pass opening into said second delivery means between said second pump and said second metering means, a valve in said by-pass adapted to control the flow of fluid therethrough, fluid pressure means to actuate said valve, means actuated by said metering means to vary the pressure in said fluid pressure means and change the setting of said valve whereby a constant proportion of fluids is delivered by said pumps. and means to stop both pumps upon failure of either pump to maintain the desired proportion.

10. A fluid proportioning device of the character described comprising, a first fluid pump, delivery means adapted to receive fluid from said pump and deliver it to a source, metering means in said fluid delivery means adapted to measure the flow of fluid therethrough, a second fluid pump, a second delivery means adapted to receive fluid from said second pump and deliver it to a source, a second meteringv means in said second delivery means adapted to measure the flow of fluid therethrough, a by-pass between the intake and delivery means of said second pump, said by-pass opening into said seconddelivery means between said second pump and said second metering means, a valve in said'by-pass adapted to control the flow or fluid therethrough, means operable by said metering means to actuate said valve and maintain the proportion of fluids pumped through said meters constant, and fluid pressure means to stop both pumps upon failure of either pump to maintain the desired proportion.

11. A fluid proportioning device of the char- I flow of fluid therethrough, a by-pass between the intake and delivery means of said second pump, said by-pass opening into said second delivery means between said second pump and said second metering means, a valve in said by-pass adapted to control the flow of fluid therethrough, means including a diiferential actuated by said metering means to actuate saidvalve and maintain the proportion of fluids pumped through said meters constant, and fluid pressure means to stop both pumps upon failure of either pump to maintain the desired proportion.

12. A fluid proportioning device of the character described comprising, a first fluid pump, delivery means adapted to receive fluid from said pump and deliver it to a source, metering means in said fluid delivery means adapted to measure the flow of fluid therethrough, a second fluid pump, a second delivery means adapted to receive fluid from said second pump and deliver it to a source, a second metering means in said second delivery means adapted to measure the flow of fluid therethrough, a by-pass between the intake and delivery means of said second pump, said by-pass opening into said second delivery means between said second pump and said second metering means, a valve in said by-pass adapted to control the flow of fluid therethrough, fluid pressure means to actuate said valve, means actuated by said metering means to vary the pressure in said fluid pressure means and change the'setting of said valve whereby a constant proportion of fluids is delivered by said pumps, and fluid pressure means to stop both pumps upon failure of either pump to maintain the desired proportion.

13. In a device of the character described, a first pump adapted to supply a flow of one fluid, a second pump adapted to supply a flow of a second fluid, a first named means adapted to vary the flow of one of said fluids in proportion to the flow of the other said fluid to maintain the fluids in a desired ratio, and a second named 'means operable from the flow of either of said fluids to stop both pumps upon failure of said flrstnamed means to maintain the desired ratio.

- clutch to shut off the flow of fluid to both meters.

clutch interposed between said last named means and said second meter, and means operable upon I disengagement of either of said clutches to shut oi the flow of fluid to both said meters.

16. In--a device of the character described, a

first fluid source, a first fluid meter, a shaft in.

said meter rotatable in direct proportion to the amount of fluid passing therethrough, means to deliver fluid from said source to said meter to be measured thereby, a second fluid source, a second fluid meter, a shaft in said second fluid meter rotatable in direct proportion to the amount of fluid passing therethrough, means to deliver fluid from said second fluid source to said second meter to be measured thereby, means operated from said shafts to maintain the flow of fluids through the meters in a desired proportion, an overload clutch mounted on one of said shafts and adapted to transmit movement from that being turned at difierent speeds, a gear F mounted on shaft E and adapted to turn the same,

gearing operable between shaft A and gear D and between shaft E and gear F to turn gears D and F at the same speed when fluids are flowing through said meters in a desired proportion, and

.meansoperable upon axialm'ovement of shafts C and E occurring when the desired proportion is not obtained to alter the flow of fluid through one of 'saidmeters and restore the desired proportion. a

18. In a device of the character described, a

first meter having a recording shaft adapted torotate in proportion to the flow of fluid therethrough, means to supply a flow of fluid through said meter, a second meter having a recording shaft adapted to rotate in proportion to the flow of fluid therethrough, means to supply a flow of fluid through saidmeter, proportioning means actuated from said shafts and adapted-to vary the flow of one fluid in accordance with the flow of the other fluid to maintain the flow through shaft to saidlast named means and to' disengage upon receiving an overload, and"means operated by said clutch to stop the flow of fluid upon disengagement of said clutch.

17. A fluid flow regulator of the character described comprising, a first meter, a shaft A in said meter rotatable in proportion to the flow of fluid through said meter, a second fluid meter, a

the two meters in proportion, and means attached to one of said shafts between said meter and said proportioning means to stop the flow of fluid through both of said meters upon failure of said proportioning means to maintain the desired ratio of fluids.

19. In a device of the character described, a

first meter, means to supply a flow of fluid through said meter, a second meter, means to supply a flow of fluid through said second meter,

clutch to stop the flo'wof both fluids through both said meters, upon failure of said proportioning device to maintain the desired ratio.

GEO. L. N. 

